I have not the slightest hope any of Stephen King’s Dark Tower novels will ever make it to the big or the little screen, but nevertheless . . . who would be equal to the role?
Clint Eastwood. Preferably a younger Clint, but definitely him.
They’d probably go with Viggo Mortensen.
Viggo Mortensen could probably do it, yeah. A younger Clint Eastwood is the obvious choice.
Of course, Roland is said to be ugly (at least seen through the eyes of Eddie Dean), which pretty much means no big movie stars.
Which is too bad, because the role is made for Clint.
Roland is actually quite expressive, during certain moments; underneath that gruff
cynical exterior beats the bleeding heart of an idealist/romantic. I doubt Clint could
pull off the breadth that the role demands. Viggo, with about another 10 years on
him, could work, as he can actually act a little.
I am skeptical of this series being made into a series of films, and not only because the last
3-4 books blew rotten chunks…
The piercing eyes are a requirement, though, and I don’t think Viggo has them. I’d say Hugh Jackman, as I always pictured Roland as a young, but weathered, Clint Eastwood, and Hugh could probably pull that off. I don’t know about his acting ability, though.
I agree with the previous poster who mentioned the last few books Hooverifically sucking, but since the first 4 books were so brilliant, maybe we can hold out hope for an epic mini-series that follows it through W&G and then sums up in 10 mins at the end. 
Years ago, I would’ve been all over Clint or Viggo. Lately though, I can’t stop imagining Hugh Laurie in this role. I think he could really pull it off and really show Roland for the bleak, dark but charming cowboy that he is.
Before House, I would have labelled you completely insane for suggesting this. Now, I’ll merely label you slightly disturbed.
I think you might be on to something.
I think Jean-Claude Van Damme might be up to it. He has the breadth, the depth, the subtlety, the gravitas if you will. If the Muscles from Brussels are unavailable, I don’t even know where to look to next.
Curse you, malkavia, for suggesting a Brit could play Roland. :mad: 
Seriously? Hugh Laurie might not be too bad. He’s charismatic without being conventionally handsome, and can certainly do “dark and cynical”. However, maybe it’s just because I’ve grown used to seeing him as House, but I wonder if he has the physical presence to pull it off.
Really? He’s an awesome actor who has shown quite a bit of versatility. Plus, the chiseled face, the piercing eyes, the sinewy forearms… ahem Sorry about that.
Hugh FTW!
I’m sorry, you appear to have lost your cursing privileges.
There’s a drawing in one of the books that looks suspiciously close to Timothy Dalton.
Yeah, well, before House he was three people to me:
- Prince and Lieutenant George.
- Bertie Wooster.
- His comedic self from A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
None of these lend themselves easily to my image of Roland Deschain.
Which one?
Well, yeah. BEFORE House, he was Fredrick Little, the bow-tie sporting adoptive father of a talking mouse.
I wouldn’t have recommend him pre-House.
No votes for Woody Allen?
Only if they can’t get Paul Reubens.
PEE-WEE HERMAN: I know you are, but what is this?
Lance Henricksen?
Scott Glenn.